The Ace of Hearts

Chapter 11: Time Flies

* Two years forward *

"Pwede bang pakibigay 'to kay Mr. Hart?" she handed me a small green paperbag na may tatak ng rolex. I knew right away kung ano ang laman noon sa loob. Surely, it could be a small green box containing a men watch inside.

Inilingan ko siya at saka siya tinapunan ng isang ngiti, "I am so sorry, Ms. Zabell, but Mr. LeFevbre is not accepting gifts from anyone."

"Tumatanggap lang naman 'yon ng regalo when it comes to his business partners," wala sa sariling lumabas sa bibig ko. I quickly zipped my mouth. Did she hear me?

"Sinubukan mo na bang ipakita sa kanya 'to? Baka nga bigla na lang siyang lumabas sa opisina niya kapag nalaman niya kung ano ang regalo ko sa kanya?" nakuha niya pa akong pagtaasan ng kilay. Kasalukuyan akong nakaupo sa counterdesk habang nakatayo siya sa tapat ko.

Nginitian ko na lang siya ulit, "With all due respect miss, you can never satisfy him with any worth of your gifts kahit magkano pa 'yan. As a matter of fact, kahit gaano pa 'yan kamahal, he can always afford it. And we have no Mr. Hart here, it's daytime, Ms. Zabell."

"Did you just mention that he only accepts gifts from his business partners?" pinagtaasan niya ako ulit ng kilay.

Omg, she heard what I said earlier. Ano ba yan, Ishee? This mouth of mine.

"Yes, Miss," pagtango ko na lang. Based on her appearance, mukhang magka-edad lang kami but because we value our guests, itratrato ko siya as someone higher than me, even though pwede rin naman akong magmataas given my position.

"Then call him," nakataas pa rin ang isang kilay nito.

"Po?"

"Call him. Tell him that Erica Zabell is here. His mind will change right away. We are business partners in some matter."

For a while, nakipag-palitan ako ng tingin sa kanya. Mukhang matigas ang isang 'to, "Fine. I will call him, Miss Zabell," since she is still a guest here, kahit pa naiinis na ako, I still have to treat her like she is always right due to the fact that customers are always right.

Kinuha ko ang telepono at may pinindot bago itinapat sa aking tainga. It is now ringing hanggang sa may sumagot mula sa kabilang linya. Pilit akong ngumiti, "Good morning, Mr. LeFevbre, we have a guest here claiming as your business partner."

"Name?" tipid niyang sagot. For sure, may tinitignan 'tong photo albums dahil sa boses niyang hindi interesado.

Tinignan ko ang babae, "Ms. Erica Zabell, she actually has a gift for you. Would you like to accept, sir?"

"No," he ended the call immediately.

Ibinaba ko ang hawak at ibinalik ang tingin sa babae, "I'm sorry but he said no, miss."

"Baka naman hindi mo lang talaga siya tinawagan?" tanong pa nito. Oh, look now? Pagbibintangan pa ako ng wala sa oras.

"Miss," halos matawa ako. I just have to compose myself since I am at work, "I already talked to him and he said no," diin ko na pawala na ang ngiti. My blood is starting to boil. Isa pa.

"Tawagan mo ulit, ako ang kakausap sa kanya," utos nito.

Natawa na lang ako at napagdesisyonang tumayo. I crossed my arms at tinignan siya, "If you don't want to believe me, then that's not my problem anymore, Miss. I already did my part and I take no command other than my boss. He said no, therefore that means he doesn't like to be bothered anymore, kung wala kang maitutulong na maayos dito sa kumpanya, then better get off and bring your cheap gift with you, my boss doesn't have sufficient time to entertain someone like you who has a low comprehension and disoriented understanding. Kung gusto mong mapansin ka niya, at least come back here when your comprehension is above average level," ako naman ang nagtaas ng kilay.